Do You Have a Nuclear Power Plant Designed for Space in Your Back Pocket? NASA Wants to Hear From You

[image error] KRUSTY fission plant NASA is developing for space, Mars, and maybe the Moon – artist concept of unit on the lunar surface

Sustained human presence in space requires power. Yes, there are solar panels, but it would be nice to have a supply that works in darkness or when covered with dust.

NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy will seek proposals from industry to build a nuclear power plant on the moon and Mars to support its long-term exploration plans. The proposal is for a fission surface power system, and the goal is to have a flight system, lander and reactor ready to launch by 2026.

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The goal is to build and test a 10 kilowatt unit on Earth, launch it to the Moon, and land it on the surface ready to go. Once it’s proven, larger units or multiple units could power humanity’s explorations.

A low enriched form of nuclear fuel will power the core. The small nuclear reactor will generate heat that is transferred to the power conversion system. The power conversion system will consist of engines that are designed to operate on reactor heat rather than combustible fuel. Those engines use the heat, convert it to electric power that is conditioned and distributed to user equipment on the lunar and Martian surfaces. Heat rejection technology is also important to maintain the correct operating temperatures for the equipment.

Steve Johnson, director of the Space Nuclear Power and Isotope Technologies Division at the Idaho National Laboratory

Nuclear power has been used safely and often in space, especially for probes traveling far from the Sun. Fission may have a renewed appreciation on Earth too, but keep your eyes open. Time will tell.